Can I collect my deceased husband's Social Security and still work?

Asked by: Mario Konopelski Jr.  |  Last update: September 20, 2025
Score: 5/5 (55 votes)

You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. But, if you're younger than full retirement age, and earn more than certain amounts, your benefits will be reduced.

What is the Social Security spousal benefits loophole?

The first exception, which can be deemed as the Social Security spousal benefits loophole, works where an individual who remarries at 60 or later may still be entitled to Social Security survivors' benefits if the second marriage ends before the death of the first spouse.

How much can a surviving spouse earn while collecting widows benefits?

Next, there are limits on how much survivors can earn while receiving benefits. If you're under full retirement age your benefit amount could be reduced, based on what you earn. For 2025, the Social Security Administration reduces survivor benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400.

Can I receive spousal Social Security benefits while still working?

Yes, both spouses can still work while collecting Social Security benefits. However, there are earnings limits that may affect the amount of Social Security benefits received if income exceeds a certain threshold.

Does my spouse's income count against my Social Security benefits?

Your spouse's income only affects you if they have taken Social Security early and you are collecting spousal benefits on their work record.

Collecting Social Security When Your Spouse Dies: Survivor Benefits Explained

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Can I collect my deceased spouse's Social Security and my own at the same time?

If your spouse dies, do you get both Social Security benefits? You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement. If you qualify for both survivor and retirement benefits, you will receive whichever amount is higher.

Does my husband's income count as my income?

It states, “If you are 21 or older, you may include another person's income that is available to you. If you are under 21, you may consider the amount of another person's income that is regularly deposited into your account.”

How much does a wife get of her husband's Social Security if he dies?

Surviving spouse, any age, with a child younger than age 16, gets 75% of the worker's benefit amount. Child gets 75% of the worker's benefit amount. There's a limit to the benefits we can pay to you and other family members each month. The limit varies between 150% and 180% of the deceased worker's benefit amount.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Specifically, a rumored $16,728 bonus that had people wondering if it was true or not in 2024? Sadly, there's no real “bonus” that retirees who receive Social Security can collect.

What is the new Social Security spousal rule?

Last Updated: July 15, 2024

If you don't have enough Social Security credits to get benefits on your own work record or your own benefit is small, you may be able to receive benefits as a spouse. Your spouse must be receiving benefits for you to get benefits on their work record.

What is a widow entitled to when her husband dies?

If your spouse built up entitlement to the State Second Pension between 2002 and 2016, you are entitled to inherit 50% of this amount; PLUS. If your spouse built up entitlement to Graduated Retirement Benefit between 1961 and 1975, you are entitled to inherit 50% of this amount.

How long does a widow receive survivor benefits?

How long does a widow receive survivor benefits? Social Security benefits are payable to you for life unless you collect a retirement benefit that is greater than the survivor benefit.

What disqualifies you from Social Security survivor benefits?

If you remarry before you turn 60, your remarriage will affect the benefits you receive. After the age of 60, remarriage will no longer affect eligibility. The SSA compares survivor benefits to a life insurance policy that workers contribute to throughout their careers.

When a husband dies, does the wife get his Social Security disability?

If you've reached your full retirement age, you can receive 100% of your spouse's disability benefits. If you're between 50 and 59 and you also have a disability, you can receive 71.5% percent of your spouse's benefits. If you're caring for a child under the age of 16, you can receive 75% of your spouse's benefits.

What percentage of a husband's Social Security does a wife get?

The percentage of your spouse's full retirement benefit that you receive could be as little as 32.5% at age 62. It steps up gradually to 50% as you near your full retirement age, which is 65, 66, or 67, depending on your birth year. And don't bother delaying your spousal benefits past your full retirement age.

Do I get my ex-husband's Social Security if he dies?

you're eligible for some of your ex's Social Security

wives and widows. That means most divorced women collect their own Social Security while the ex is alive, but can apply for higher widow's rates when he dies.

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband?

Each survivor benefit can be up to 100% of your benefit. The amount may be reduced if the women start benefits before their own full retirement age, but they don't have to share — the amount isn't reduced because you've had more than one spouse.

How to get $3000 a month in Social Security?

Exactly how much in earnings do you need to get a $3,000 benefit? Well, you just need to have averaged about 70% of the taxable maximum. In our example case, that means that your earnings in 1983 were about $22,000 and increased every year to where they ended at about $100,000 at age 62.

What is the 5 year rule for Social Security?

The Social Security 5-year rule refers specifically to disability benefits. It requires that you must have worked five out of the last ten years immediately before your disability onset to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

What not to do when a spouse dies?

Top 10 Things Not to Do When Someone Dies
  1. 1 – DO NOT tell their bank. ...
  2. 2 – DO NOT wait to call Social Security. ...
  3. 3 – DO NOT wait to call their Pension. ...
  4. 4 – DO NOT tell the utility companies. ...
  5. 5 – DO NOT give away or promise any items to loved ones. ...
  6. 6 – DO NOT sell any of their personal assets. ...
  7. 7 – DO NOT drive their vehicles.

What is the difference between survivor benefits and widow benefits social?

The short version: Spousal benefits are available to retired workers' spouses or ex-spouses. They pay up to 50% of a worker's monthly retirement or disability benefit. Survivor benefits are paid to a surviving spouse or surviving ex-spouse when a Social Security beneficiary dies.

How do I get my husband's Social Security after he died?

You can apply for benefits by calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you spend waiting to apply.

How does my husband's income affect my Social Security?

If other family members get benefits based on your work, your earnings from work you do after you start getting retirement benefits could reduce their benefits, too. If your spouse and children get benefits as family members, however, earnings from their own work affect only their own benefits.

Will my Social Security be reduced if my spouse is still working?

Each spouse can claim their own retirement benefit based solely on their individual earnings history. You can both collect your full amounts at the same time. However, your spouse's earnings could affect the overall amount you get from Social Security if you receive spousal benefits.

What benefits will I lose if I get married?

If you get Social Security disability or retirement benefits and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. However, other benefits such as SSI, Survivors, Divorced Spouses, and Child's benefits may be affected.